Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
515. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review correspondence from a school (details supplied); what financial assistance can be offered to this school to assist it with the critical financial situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12868/24]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued during October 2023 to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding was delivered in early 2024.
As part of Budget 2024, significant increases in capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools were confirmed which includes a permanent restoration of capitation funding as well as an increase for cost of living pressures. This year’s Budget will provide targeted funding for school communities with an increase in capitation of over €81 million.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil at Primary level and will be paid to schools in January & June 2024 for the 2023/24 academic year.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024, €21 million was secured as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per student in primary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
Schools also receive an Ancillary Services Grant. The standard rate is €173 per pupil in Primary schools and €224.50 per student in Post-Primary schools.
Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. At post-primary level, schools with less than 200 students receive ancillary related grants on the basis of having 200 students.
My Department spends €180m annually in supporting schools in the DEIS programme, of which, over €20m is allocated to schools by way of a DEIS grant.
The DEIS grant should be utilised to attain the targets set in the school's three year improvement plan across the DEIS themes. It is a matter for the Board of Management of each school to allocate DEIS grant funding so that it targets those students deemed most in need. This may include allocating a proportion of the DEIS grant funding towards the cost of school trips.
I wish to advise that the Emergency Works Scheme is set up to address small scale works that are sudden, unforeseen and where the school might have to close if not addressed. The Emergency Works Scheme does not fund retrospectively, so any works required to be carried out must be applied for and approved prior to being carried out.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) is an important source of advice and support. It is available to primary schools to assist on financial matters. Officials from my Department have made contact with the FSSU on behalf of your school. They will provide advice and support as required. A member of staff from the FSSU recently contacted your school and has arranged a call with your Principal in the coming days.
